Following an assessment of needs and mapping of each local context, Roma facilitators have called for action emphasising the need to access running water in Roma settlements, as well as hygiene and food supplies for vulnerable households. Through the mobilisation and co-organisation of the partner municipalities, the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania, the ROMACTED Programme’s support organisation, and the ROMACTED facilitators, have conducted several short-term actions. As a result, 300 vulnerable Roma families have been supported in the municipalities of Elbasan, Korca, Permet and Roskovec in March to enable them to overcome the economic consequences of the restrictive measures due to the Covid-19 health crisis, while 118 families have been supported by the Municipality of Vlora upon the appeal of the ROMACTED facilitator.

The Council of Europe is not a humanitarian organisation, nor is ROMACTED a humanitarian programme. Since special times impose special measures, however, we will organise our responses in such a way that the objectives and mission of the Organisation and of the programme remain clear, especially as regards the prevention of abuses of human rights, ensuring equal distribution of emergency aid and prevention of discrimination and politicisation (buying votes, use of hate-speech against Roma). We will aim to assist the most vulnerable and excluded from humanitarian protection and assistance among the ROMACTED municipalities.

Photo credits: Municipality of Elbasan

Each action might be a drop in the ocean of needs at local level, but it can surely make a difference during difficult times. The continuing combined efforts among communities and local authorities will help to overcome the Covid-19 crisis and ensure that human rights for Roma are not put aside during public emergencies. It is clear that the obligation to respect human rights (Article 1 of ECHR) cannot be suspended during such an unprecedented emergency situation and, to this end, the full applicability of the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights requires close monitoring.

 Watch short video clips about the action in Elbasan and Vlora.